Exhibition

I visited the wonderful exhibition “Girt by Sea” on Sunday afternoon. This is an art (as opposed to documentary) exhibition of 100 large aerial photographs taken by Tony Hewitt and Denis Glennon of the coastline of Australia. It is a “must see” exhibition while it is on here in Perth. The exhibition is on from 25 September to 13 October at Central Park, 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000. Open times are 10am to 5.30pm weekdays and 10-4 on Saturday 13th (the last day!)

Tony and Dennis were sponsored by Canon for this project which involved hiring a light aircraft and 2 pilots to circumnavigate the coast of Australia to experience and bring new meaning to the words “Girt by Sea” from our national anthem.

Run, don’t walk to this exhibition – you will not be disappointed! Prints are for sale and there is also a beautifully presented book available. I am planning on visiting it again if possible sometime during this next week.

When I first entered this exhibition, I was confused – there were works with obvious links to other works on view, but they were hung metres apart. I wondered why they would do that? I walked across the gallery to the one I felt was related – trying to understand why what seemed to be disparate work was hung together, and related works apart. Every work is untitled, and I needed some clues to the layout logic. Another circuit – still no leads. The floor sheet shows that works are arranged in 4 sets and in numerical order. OK then – I’ll start with the first work of the first set and go from there. Work 1 features a telephone, which I interpreted as opening the lines of communication and the second work seemed to validate this with lines of readable text accompanying 2 drawings. This was followed by a textile book with embroidered lines and shapes reminiscent of the 2 drawings. The last work in this set is an eye-catching photographic print of emu feathers. Once my confusion reduced I realised that there are some exciting, well-executed works in this exhibition.

It was interesting to work through each of the first 3 sets chronologically, analysing each work to find what had been extracted from the previous work, interpreted and passed along through the respondent work. It was fun to work out “how to get there from here” as it were. But I found myself wanting to see the respondent works elaborated or extended. This need was partially met by Set 4. Six of the 14 artists had produced additional work which could easily be the start of a large body of work. As a viewer I found myself thinking that maybe one set of the Chinese Whispers style exercise with perhaps 3-5 works from each artist taking one aspect of the exercise further would have been more satisfying. But that probably wasn’t the goal for the group. The Artology group has successfully shown the work resulting from coordinated regular group meetings to exchange ideas and discuss current projects.

I spent quite some time today viewing “WAnt: contemporary jewellery from WA”, the current exhibition at Ellenbrook Gallery. For those of us that relish detail and art on a tiny scale, WANT is well worth a visit. All works are by members of The Jewellers and Metal Smiths Group of Australia – WA. I knew my friend Katrina Virgona had work in this exhibition (that was why I went in the first place) so I was expecting to see equally quirky and innovative works by other artists using unconventional materials. The work of Fatemeh Boroujeni, an artist that had caught my eye in the Made in Making Central TAFE exhibition 2015 (because she used brush bristles) also caught my eye in this. Overall, traditional precious metals and gems are well represented along with other unconventional materials such as silicon, silk, photographic paper, shakudo, polycarbonate, and paper. Techniques include metal-smithing and gem setting, but also crochet, felt, stitch and even charcoal drawing. The catalogue is well-produced with each artist having a 2-page spread comprising an artist statement and CV with a full page colour image on the facing page.

Katrina is also teaching a 1-day workshop “Felt and Textile Jewellery” ($75) – for venue, other details and to book call Julie at The Gallery (08) 9297 9940. I have attended workshops by Katrina and know that this will be a fun filled day.

Absorbent Ho Sho paper left overnight in inky water after the workshop so that the colour wicks up the paper.

Trying various ways of using up leftover ink from the workshop on Wednesday

Trying different ways of using up the ink that was left at the end of the workshop yesterday.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here at the Basement Gallery and feel really quite sad that this is my penultimate day. This morning I gave an artist talk – which turned into more of a conversation between friends so my nervousness quickly faded away 🙂 I pulled out all my materials, pens, brushes, papers, inks, display folders, workbooks and samples from the workshop yesterday so my work desk in the gallery looked like a bomb had gone off! It didn’t take too long to clear up afterwards and it was totally worth it. It’s always rewarding to talk to people who understand when I get excited about leaving paper overnight in the jar of used water loaded with ink to see what I get the following day.

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm 24 November so if you haven’t visited yet and would like to then this is your last chance!

The results from leaving Japanese paper in inky water overnight and then laid flat to dry.

Rolled Japanese paper sitting in inky water left at the end of the workshop. This was given an occasional “swirl” and then left overnight before being laid flat to dry.

The Gallery Manager (Mathew) here at The Basement Gallery has put all my works from Reef – A Fine LIne on their website as an online catalogue. There is still time to see the exhibition “for real” as the exhibition runs until 4pm on Friday 24th. I am giving an artist talk on Thursday 23 at 10am so if you would like to meet me and ask questions about my work please come along – I’d love to meet you and explain my techniques, materials, inspiration and discuss what it’s like to be an emerging artist. The exhibition comprises drawings, embroidery, textile jewellery and collage – all related to the reef theme. Oh, and don’t forget that I am giving a short drawing workshop tomorrow morning (which you need to book for by emailing basementgallery@colosoul.com.au )

Pen and ink drawing titled Seaweed 005. Used as the promo image for Reef – A Fine Line solo exhibition

I will be running another pen and ink workshop at the basement gallery from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 21 November 2017. To register go to their facebook event page or email them on gallery@colosoul.com.au The cost is $20, payable on the day.

We’ll look at the properties of different papers so that you know which papers I use, and why. I will demonstrate how I have drawn some of my images and talk about why I use particular pens. Then I will show you which acrylic inks I prefer, and talk about how they differ from other media such as watercolours, I will bring my brushes and pens for you to use, and will supply the inks for use in class so you can get a “feel” for them. Oxlades (at 49 Guthrie St, Osborne Park WA 6017) stock everything used in this class so if you decide you need some for yourself it would be worth visiting them.

The exhibition finishes on Friday 24 November. On Thursday 23rd I will be giving an artist talk starting at 10am (or just after) if you are interested in my inspiration, process or have any questions about the works.

The A3 posters and A6 flyers for Reef – A Fine Line created by Tegan of Pop Creative.

It has been very interesting working with the work experience volunteers at the Basement Gallery for Reef – A Fine Line. The A3 posters and A6 flyers for “Reef – A Fine Line” were created by Tegan Edwards the team leader of Pop Creative Graphic Design and Marketing Agency. Pop Creative work alongside The Basement Gallery and do the graphics design work associated with the exhibitions. This is the photo Lauren sent from her phone when they were delivered to the gallery before I went to pick them up. Click on the link to open a pdf version of the flyer – which you can print if you wish or email to a friend.

The design of posters, invites and a digital cover page is included in the gallery hire, as is the making of a short video interview. Tegan has done a great job of the invites and posters I think. I’m just getting to know some of the people here. Tegan has finished her uni degree in human geography and planning, and followed that with studying integrated design. Tegan started working at the Colosoul Group towards the end of 2015 and at the moment is living life by “going with the flow” – seems to work – I’ve only ever seen her smiling. 🙂

Tegan Edwards is the Team Leader of POP Creative who designed the flyers and posters for Reef – A Fine Line

On Friday I delivered my artwork to the Basement Gallery so that Lauren and Matt could begin the curating process and hang the works ready for opening on the 10th November at 5pm.

The curators decided to leave this artwork out because it didn’t fit with the rest of the artworks. I think they made the right decision.

I have 51 small artworks in total comprising 26 pen and archival ink drawings/paintings on Arches 300gsm paper, 5 collages of various papers on acid-free mat board, a collage on canvas, 3 textile bowls, a framed larger pen and ink painting, and an assortment of brooches, hair barrettes and necklaces (jewellery without the jewels – grin). With the exception of 2 of the bowls these are all new works not previously exhibited. I am interested and excited to see how they display them. I indicated that some works have common elements so would probably look good grouped together, and that one work might be too difficult to include from a curatorial perspective (and I won’t be offended if they don’t include that one because I think it is sufficiently different to be the start of a whole new series 🙂 ). I made some special hangers for the necklaces so it will be interesting to see how well they worked too. I find out 30 minutes before the opening starts what they’ve done…. Nail-biting stuff! I hope I like the way it’s displayed. I’m confident I will.

You get a glimpse of two of the artworks in the promotional video filmed by Matt 2 days before I delivered the works. But if you want to see the other 48 exhibited artworks you might just have to visit sometime over the next 2 weeks – grin. Venue: The Basement Gallery, 241 Hay St, Subiaco (opposite The Vic). Gallery hours are 10-4 weekdays only. Reef – A Fine Line is showing now until 24 November 2017.

Sometimes everything comes together to create an opportunity you just cannot pass up. That’s how come I am having a solo exhibition next week….

A friend noticed a Facebook post by The Basement Gallery asking for emerging artists who might be interested in holding an exhibition in their new premises (241 Hay Street, Subiaco) to attend an open viewing time. We both went along to find out more on behalf of a newly formed group that may be interested in exhibiting together – possibly next year. The gallery and associated Pop Creative graphics design are run by volunteers (mostly uni students) to gain work experience in the arts. During our discussions with the volunteer gallery curator we learned that there was a vacancy in November. We knew the group would not be ready by then (we haven’t even had our first meeting yet!) and I realised I already had enough work with a reef theme to fill the space. I have lots of pen and ink drawings, some collages and several textile pieces – all inspired by coral reefs and their inhabitants. I submitted the application and paid the hire fee so I will be exhibiting Mon 13 Nov to Fri 17 Nov and Mon 20 Nov to Fri 24 Nov (open weekdays only 10-4, closed weekends).

I was one of several artists invited to give a 5-minute artist talk on Thursday 21 September about how it felt to take part in the WAFTA Altered States challenge exhibition. See below for the notes I used to jog my memory as I spoke.

Initial reaction

What a hodge podge of materials! How on earth do you marry up a beaded cocktail dress with smelly alpaca! And a guitar string with Watsonia leaves.

I think I’ll just put the whole lot back in the bag for now and leave it out of reach of my dog who is showing an unhealthy interest in the contents.

Initial Ideas

Make a triple-humped camel-like animal with a yellow beak wearing snow shoes and dressed to party.

A book of caricatures of the people who dreamed this challenge up. I didn’t like my attempts to create a scroll from that ridiculously stretchy cocktail dress.

It has a sort of “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” feel to it – maybe I could sculpt or collage a scene from the novel. Mmm maybe not – this is going to be a public exhibition.

What is the smallest possible thing I could make? If I cut just a snippet from everything and roll it in glue I could a make a tiny fabric marble.

Adornment – that’s the direction I want to go in generally. Can I make a jewellery item from this lot?

Necklace

At the very least I can make a bead from everything else and string it on that carpet yarn. Ok, let’s go with the necklace idea.

I didn’t want to destroy the “good” things like the magazine and the pattern that had never been used. So, I trimmed all the excess paper from the pattern so that it can be used to make a very flattering prom dress and bolero for someone ¼ my age. And I used the Subscriber Newsletter to make some beads rather than cut into the mag. Free to any taker….

I decided I could cut into the dress (it had been repaired several times already) and use the doily as embroidery thread (as it was unravelling all by itself).

And me being me, I carded ALL the alpaca over a period of 2 days. My dreams of whiter than white, snuggly soft felt evaporating as 90% of it ended up either on my black apron or all over the house.

The state of my apron after spending 2 days carding all the alpaca fleece by hand.

Washed and carded alpaca fleece.

The challenge is supposed to be confidence-boosting so I went with that as my theme for the necklace.

The Benefits

I found making paper beads and embroidered beads very relaxing.

I enjoyed the designing – for balance, comfort, weight, fastening.

I enjoyed keeping it “secret” – after my initial blunder of posting about it on my blog – but I did show one or two people (hands up who didn’t show anyone!).

I learned that there is such a thing as a “closed” FB group and enjoyed the camaraderie of that – making friends with people I’d never met.

I really enjoyed the associated Textile Technique Toolbox workshops – thank you to all the tutors.

I “pushed through” the “OMG – everyone else’s is much better than mine” barrier.